A COVENTRY business leader is calling on the city council to reveal how extra revenue from a rise in car park charges will be spent.

Darren Jones, vice-president of Coventry branch of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said the increases could be justified if the council showed they were being spent directly on improving parking facilities in the city.

But he said it would be unacceptable if the revenue disappeared into a pot and was lost within general revenue.

In Tuesday's Telegraph we revealed charges at the popular Salt Lane car park would rise by 70p to £2.20 for two hours and £2.70 for three hours.

Charges for long-stay car parks would go up by £1 to £5 for over four hours, and a £1 flat rate would be brought in for Sunday parking at the Barracks and West Orchards, which are currently free.

Mr Jones said: "Car parks in Coventry should not be used as an external taxation.

"We want to attract more shoppers and higher quality retailers. The aim is to increase the footfall in the city.

"One option is parking meters and the chamber is working with the council to look at bringing in on-street parking.

"At the moment the car parking charges do not cater for those who are only looking to be in town for 10 or 20 minutes and this is something that needs addressing."

The increases - set to be discussed by councillors on Tuesday - are being discussed because of a £288,000 shortfall in parking income this year.

But they would make Coventry far more expensive than some of its rivals, including Leamington, Solihull and Leicester.

In Leamington the highest charge for two hours' parking in the town centre stands at £1.60, with £2.10 for three hours and £2.80 for four hours-plus.

In Solihull the Touchwood short-stay car park costs £1.60 for two hours and £2.40 for three. The Monkspath car park costs £2.70 for six hours-plus.

Fees in Leicester car parks vary widely but on-street parking for two hours starts at £1.30, and £1.80 for three hours.